With the European Commission set to present proposals for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in early May, now is the time for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to mount a major diplomatic lobbying effort to secure an increased Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget, IFA president Joe Healy has said.

The MFF establishes an overall ceiling for annual spending under the European Union’s budget, and sets out the financial priority and allocations to different EU policy areas, including the CAP.

As the details on the next CAP are currently being formulated in Brussels, the IFA is actively engaging both at national level and in Brussels on these critical policy issues.

Healy said that the first step and core focus for our Government and for European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan when it comes to CAP has to be on securing a strong increased budget – the keystone to any policy.

“We need our Government to take the lead and work all diplomatic channels across the EU to gain support for an increase in contributions from member states to the overall EU budget, and a strong budget focus on CAP.

Increase

“An increase in the CAP budget is essential to increase farm incomes and close the gap with other sectors in society. In addition, the significant shortfall in EU finances due to Brexit must be made up by other member states.

“An increased EU budget would also reflect the strong recovery and growth in the European economy, take account of inflation and also provide new funding for some of the new EU measures being proposed around migration and defence,” he said.

So far, 21 of 27 member states, including Ireland, have indicated they are willing to increase their contributions to strengthen the EU budget. “Taoiseach Leo Varadkar needs to take a strong line, back farmers, make Ireland’s position on increased contributions clear, and secure the support of his counterparts for his position through serious diplomatic efforts,” Healy said.